Information Ecologies

I come from a background where English is a second language. I only started studying in English for my University education. So I found this Module a bit difficult in understanding because of the high use of unknown English or computer words. So I have to understand first of all what is ecology and then what is information ecology as such. My findings as follows.

To my understanding ecology is a study of the connections between humans and interrelated environment. So Information ecology is a study of the connections between humans and computers as a ecosystem.

How might the metaphor of an 'ecology' impact on the way you think about, understand or use the Internet?

In this present era it is coming to a point where humans cannot live without Internets and world wide webs. It is so dominating that people think for their day to day functioning Internets are essential at work or home.

So studying of Internet as an ecology is ever changing process. Every day there is new developments and technological inventions happening around the world. By analysing the Internet in connection to humans needs and behaviour is considered essential. Internet is moving towards a era where people control the net rather net controlling the people which it use to be.

Introduction of face book, flickr and blogs etc are the ecosystems which shows the needs for the ecological research. At one stage Internet use to be a one way communication where by you provide information to the system now it is a two way communication where by you give and take. So I think we have to be consider ant about our society and people when using the Internet bearing in mind the information ecology concept.

How are the concepts 'information' and 'communication' understood within the framework of an 'information ecology'?

To my understanding information is the source data and Communication is the technology or medium used to transfer information. I guess so for a communication of message to be complete we should have both the source and a mode of transferring equipment. By that way information and communication are organism of information ecology.

Why don’t we talk of a ‘communication ecology’?

I guess communication will not happen without information. Exchange of information between sender and receiver is the main reason for communication so it is information which is leading to communication. Therefore it makes sense to call it information ecology rather than communication ecology.

I understand better now about ecology, information, communication and information ecology than when I started this module.

A good web site to read. "Towards an Information Ecology".
http://www.capurro.de/nordinf.htm